European airline Flybe will now be operating flights from Humberside Airport, as the launch of a new five-year partnership with a regional airline gets underway.

Flights by Eastern Airways, who are based at Humberside Airport, will now operate under the brand of Flybe – who have routes including Paris and Rodez in southern France.

It has not been confirmed if any new Flybe routes will be introduced at the airport in North Lincolnshire.

Eastern Airways say the partnership will help “broaden the route network available for customers”, boosting hopes of new routes from Humberside.

A Flybe - Eastern Airways aircraft

The alliance, which was completed on Sunday October 29, means all of Eastern Airways’ routes – including services from Humberside – will now operate with Flybe’s BE flight codes.

Mathew Herzberg, Eastern Airways’ head of commercial, said: “Although it will be largely business as usual for passengers, the new BE flight code gives our customers greater connectivity to Flybe’s routes and global airline associated network with one single, seamless booking, along with online check-in.

“The franchise partnership will help to broaden the route network available to customers through the Flybe and Eastern brand and reach a wider audience of customers who are new to services operated by Eastern Airways.”

“Through the routes they offer, we look forward to providing regional customers with an even greater choice of services with increased efficiencies and access to a greater choice of UK and European connections."

Read More

As part of a separate risk-sharing arrangement which began in September, Eastern also operates six of Flybe’s existing branded routes in Scotland, from Sumburgh (Shetland Isles), Kirkwall (Orkney Isles), Stornoway (Western Isles), Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Humberside Airport has also announced the launch of new service to Seville in southern Spain, with first departures from March next year.